Official Minecraft Books!

A beginner's guide to the library of Minecraft!

Do you enjoy reading? Or do you have a special butler for that who's currently reading this article to you while you just lounge around being fed grapes? Well tell him he's fired, because reading is AWESOME and we have a selection of great Minecraft books that prove it!

We've built up such a steady portfolio of ace Minecraft reads over the years that I'm not sure why all other writers don't just pack it in to be honest. Charles Dickens should just accept that A Christmas Carol, great as it is, teaches you barely anything about how to use Redstone.

So here's a brief summary of each Minecraft book, and who they're perfect for! You shouldn't have much trouble finding them in all good book retailers. Maybe even in a few evil book retailers too?

MINECRAFT: THE ISLAND

Max 'World War Z' Brooks takes a break from writing about zombies to, er, write about zombies? Yes! This novel covers his experiences of trying to survive on an island in Minecraft. Our hero swims to shore, punches trees, gets to know/tries not to get destroyed by the local mobs and battles for survival... but there's no coming back from 'game over' on this deadly island!

PERFECT FOR: Those looking for a fun novel with a Minecraft twist. Anyone who can relate to how hard it is to survive in Minecraft when we spawn you on an island in the middle of nowhere (yeah, sorry about that). Try a FREE sample of Chapter One here.

MINECRAFT: BLOCKOPEDIA

Loved by block fans and loathed by trying-to-get-it-to-stay-on-the-damn-shelf fans in equal measure, this lovely coffee-table-worthy tome is a thorough guide to the many blocks of Minecraft. Learn about their uses, origins, secrets and where you can find them in the game! It's great for the 'blockhead' in your life (bonus tip: don't call Minecraft block fans 'blockheads'. They react badly, for some reason).

PERFECT FOR: Anyone with an inventory full of colourful cubes and not the foggiest as to what any of them actually are. Block of the Week fans who want to enjoy Minecraft block facts without any of this website's cruel 'wait seven days between BOTW instalments' tyranny.

GUIDE TO REDSTONE

Some of the crazy contraptions that players achieve with redstone leave my jaw on the floor and my self-esteem in tatters. After all, I can barely swing a pickaxe, while players in Minecraft have used redstone to build working calculators, working computers, Rube Goldberg machines and houses littered with traps that even the kid from Home Alone would call 'a bit much'. But in a good way! This easy-to-use guidebook will turn any player from red-faced novice to redstone expert in no time. Take a look at a preview here.

PERFECT FOR: Any builder, beginner or expert, looking to increase their Redstone skills! People who bought 'Minecraft: The Island' by mistake and don't understand why their redstone skills aren't improving.

GUIDE TO THE NETHER AND THE END

Sure, we could spend Christmas sat around a roaring fire, singing carols with our awful families. Or, if we're feeling a little braver this festive season, maybe it's time to venture to The Nether and The End? Alas, even the toughest of Minecraft players are reduced to sobbing babies by the horrors these legendary areas contain. Luckily, this book transforms you step-by-step from Nether novice into a player more hardcore than the middle of a diamond apple. Good luck!

PERFECT FOR: Players sick of dying as soon as they enter The Nether or The End (so, me, basically). Anyone looking to increase their survival skills!

GUIDE TO CREATIVE

Easily the best part of my job has been getting to showcase new spectacular builds from amazing Minecraft players every week on this website. Here'sjustahandfulofexamples. But don't be intimidated! I truly believe anyone can make something brilliant in this game. Our Guide to Creative is designed to get you doing exactly that, helping you learn more about what makes a great build and how you can craft a Minecraft masterpiece of your own that'll make you the envy of blockheads everywhere. Maybe we'll be featuring your build on Minecraft.net next year?

PERFECT FOR: Creative players looking to improve their building prowess! Anyone who wants to take their builds to the next level. People who'd rather eat a box of their own hair than play Survival mode. Er, each to their own, I guess.

GUIDE TO EXPLORATION

Sick of wandering off for supplies, then getting lost and never seeing your house again? Tired of going for a swim and then realising you've actually gone for a drown? Still haven't figured out how the heck you're meant to craft a map?? Worry not, soon-to-be ace explorer! This guide will have you navigating your Minecraft worlds with ease in no time.

PERFECT FOR: Anyone who can't find their house (in the game – if they can't find their house in real life, then 'succesfully reading a book' might be a little beyond them).

THE OFFICIAL MINECRAFT ANNUAL 2018

A book that contains some brilliant words from Marsh Davies and no stupid sentences from Tom Stone? Sounds like bestseller material to me! This official annual is officially packed with builds, guides, features, more, more, some more again... It's like someone took all the insight from anyone worth speaking to at Mojang, slammed it between two hard covers and then lobbed it on the shelves. But forgot to include me. Not that I'm bitter or anything. A terrific round-up of 2017 in Minecraft!

PERFECT FOR: Owners of the The Official Minecraft Annual 2017 who've been waiting impatiently for 364 days for the sequel. Otherwise, even the most casual Minecraft fan will get something out of this annual!

EXPLODED BUILDS: MEDIEVAL FORTRESS

According to self-described 'history nerd' Marsh Davies, this lovely book is “jam-packed with both Minecraft and medieval facts, and full of gorgeous rendered diagrams demonstrating how each bit of your mighty castle plugs together. It has ramparts, dungeons, everything in between and a good deal outside too, from Ye Olde taverns to bustling market squares. It’s not just about antique architectural artistry either: the book includes detailed explanations of redstone engineering, helping you to construct elaborate trap rooms, a switch-activated portcullis, ballistas and loads more.”

PERFECT FOR: History fans. People who want to build in Minecraft medieval-style. Anyone who's sick of Emily breaking into their current fortress. Take a sneak peek here

THE SURVIVOR'S BOOK OF SECRETS

Who are the mysterious survivors? What secrets do they hold? Essential ones. Legendary ones. Ones you need to know if you want to follow in the footsteps of these underground experts and learn new skills for crafting, combat and surviving. Or maybe you're just looking for a smaller-sized book that will fit in a stocking? Either works!

PERFECT FOR: Players who like reading on the go who want a book that slots snugly into a coat pocket. Anyone just getting into the game. Pretentious types who refuse to pick up a book that doesn't have some Latin on the cover.

MOBESTIARY

The artwork in this beautiful guide to the mobs of Minecraft is absolutely peerless. More attractive than even our most handsome readers – seriously, I don't care if you're Beyoncé Knowles (jk if you're reading this Beyoncé, and thanks so much for reading and supporting my writing career over the years). Learn more about all the mobs in Minecraft while oohing and ahhing over Anton Stenvall's stunning sketches. A coffee-table must have!

PERFECT FOR: Artists who like drawing Minecraft stuff and are looking for inspiration! Monster hunters keen to learn more about the mobs of Minecraft. Anyone who's ever spent a worrying amount of time pondering the anatomy of a Creeper.